Introduced Version






SENATE BILL No. 168

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



Citations Affected: IC 20-6.1-7.5.

Synopsis: Reimbursement of teacher continuing education. Provides that the department of education shall reimburse 50% of the tuition paid by certain teachers for continuing education courses that will improve the teachers' knowledge or skill in the teachers' teaching areas. Provides that a teacher who accepts tuition reimbursement must continue teaching for one year for every six credits for which the teacher received reimbursement.

Effective: July 1, 2003.





Kenley




    January 7, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career Development.







Introduced

First Regular Session 113th General Assembly (2003)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
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SENATE BILL No. 168



    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education and to make an appropriation.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

    SECTION 1. IC 20-6.1-7.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003]:
     Chapter 7.5. Reimbursement of Teacher Continuing Education Tuition
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "employer" refers to one (1) of the following:
        (1) A school corporation.
        (2) A charter school established under IC 20-5.5.
        (3) A special education cooperative established under IC 20-1-6-20.
        (4) A state institution that employs teachers under:
            (A) IC 11-10-5 ;    
            (B) IC 16-33-4 ;                    
            (C) IC 20-15; or
            (D) IC 20-16.
    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "institution of higher learning"

means the following:
        (1) A state educational institution (as defined in IC 20-12-0.5-1 ).
        (2) A private institution of higher education (as defined in IC 20-12-63-3 ).
    Sec. 3. A teacher may apply to the department for reimbursement of tuition the teacher has paid to an institution of higher learning for the teacher's continuing education, if the following conditions are met:
        (1) The course for which the teacher seeks reimbursement will further the teacher's knowledge or skills in a teaching area in which the teacher has taught for not less than three (3) years at the time the teacher enrolled in the course.
        (2) The teacher's employer certifies that the teacher has taught in the teaching area for not less than three (3) years at the time the teacher enrolled in the course.
        (3) The institution of higher learning certifies that the teacher has successfully completed the course.
    Sec. 4. Upon the receipt of an application that satisfies the conditions set forth in section 3 of this chapter, the department shall reimburse the teacher in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the tuition paid for the course.
    Sec. 5. (a) If a teacher accepts tuition reimbursement under this chapter, the teacher must agree to continue teaching for the teacher's employer for one (1) year for every six (6) credits for which the teacher has accepted reimbursement.
    (b) A teacher who does not complete one (1) year of employment for every six (6) credits for which the teacher has accepted reimbursement must return the tuition reimbursement the teacher received to the department.
    Sec. 6. The amounts necessary to reimburse tuition under this chapter are annually appropriated to the department from the state general fund.
    Sec. 7. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to administer this chapter.

    SECTION 2. [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003] (a) IC 20-6.1-7.5 , as added by this act, applies to continuing education courses in which a teacher enrolls after June 30, 2003.
    (b) This SECTION expires June 30, 2004.